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How Do Women on Board Reduce a Firm’s Risks to Ensure Sustainable Performance during a Crisis?

Author

Listed:
  • Rubeena Tashfeen

    (UCP Business School, University of Central Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan)

  • Irfan Saleem

    (Faculty of Business, Sohar University, Sohar 311, Oman)

  • Muhammad Ashfaq

    (Department of Finance and Management, IU International University of Applied Sciences, 53604 Bad Honnef, Germany)

  • Umara Noreen

    (College of Business Administration, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh 12435, Saudi Arabia)

  • Muhammad Shafiq

    (Department of Project & Operations Management, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan)

Abstract

The research applies the Upper Echelons Theory and the Lehman Sisters Hypothesis to explain how women board members use investment, financial, and liquidity techniques to reduce risk and increase a firm’s value. An original dataset of listed US companies is analyzed to show how women strategists contribute to value creation and mitigate stock volatility and bankruptcy. A simultaneous equations approach captures the interplay between a company’s use of debt and financial derivatives. According to this research, organizations that employ derivative instruments benefit more from having women in advisory roles because women encourage proactive risk management and develop effective risk control measures. The research implies that businesses should actively promote gender equality on their boards rather than merely recognizing the need for diversity.

Suggested Citation

  • Rubeena Tashfeen & Irfan Saleem & Muhammad Ashfaq & Umara Noreen & Muhammad Shafiq, 2023. "How Do Women on Board Reduce a Firm’s Risks to Ensure Sustainable Performance during a Crisis?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:14:p:11145-:d:1196066
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Margherita Finamore & Crina Oltean-Dumbrava, 2025. "Emerging Trends in the Circular Economy: Multidimensional Perspective in the Building Sector," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(4), pages 3017-3052, August.

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